Becoming an informed, engaged member of society doesn’t just happen. It takes years of concerted effort and ample learning opportunities, from kindergarten to senior year.
“Civics education helps young people understand the principles of democracy, the responsibilities of citizenship, and the importance of participating in the civic life of their community,” Spokane Public Schools Chief of Staff Heather Bybee shared at a Board of Directors meeting earlier this month.
By integrating civics education at every grade level, our schools cultivate a culture of civic awareness and participation.
VOICE YOUR CHOICE
The first civics lesson our youngest students encounter is the concept of citizenship within their classroom and their school community, learning about their individual rights and responsibilities as well as the importance of rules and what it means to be a good citizen.
At Moran Prairie Elementary School, Principal Assistant Tad Heinen is demonstrating the democratic, electoral process this season through monthly school-wide voting. In September, more than 400 students and staff voted on their choice for this year’s DIGS Dollar color. Students receive these colorful cards for demonstrating positive behavior and can trade them in for prizes and rewards. Red took nearly 44% of the vote over yellow (29.8%) and orange (26.3%).
“It’s an opportunity for students to have a voice in decisions,” Mr. Heinen explained. “And sometimes it’s just something for fun.”
This month, he’s organizing a face-off between DC and Marvel comics superheroes as an example of the primary process, where the winners of two primary rounds will go head-to-head in a general vote on Oct. 28.
“Teachers have said students come back to class and ask each other who they voted for. If they’re having a conversation about it, I think that’s a job well done,” Mr. Heinen said.
Older elementary students receive lessons about the structures of government and Tribal Nations, preparing them for social studies and history classes in middle and high school.
WE THE PEOPLE
By middle school, students dive into Washington state and U.S. history and learn about tribal sovereignty. Middle school students can participate in a Civics Bee, and their schools also engage in observances like Constitution & Citizenship Day on Sept. 17, and Temperance & Good Citizenship Day on Jan. 16.
Spokane Garry Middle School has a tradition of celebrating Constitution Day, which recognizes the signing and adoption of the laws organizing the United States’ government. Historical U.S. figures like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln make a special appearance to challenge students to recite the Preamble to the Constitution. Students are tasked with memorizing these documents, while also learning their meaning and importance in their social studies classes.
FUTURE VOTERS
High school students participate in a variety of social studies courses to fulfill their 3.0 credit graduation requirement, going deeper into national and international history, as well as political systems.
In two of these courses, Civics and Contemporary World Affairs, volunteers from the nonpartisan, nonprofit League of Women Voters visit classrooms to discuss the history and logistics of voting.
During these visits, students can even register to vote. Since the program began in 2018, the electoral districts within SPS boundaries have consistently achieved higher voter registration rates for those under 20 years old than any other district in the state.
Students at North Central High School have also made registering young voters a priority. Last week, members of the school’s Leadership group and Shades Multicultural Club organized a lunchtime voter registration party.
Seniors Kamryn Richardson and David Doan are members of both groups. This was their third and final year helping to organize the annual event to get students who are U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old pre-registered as Future Voters, a program in Washington state that automatically registers voters when they become eligible.
“You have a voice, even if you’re 16. One person out of millions can have an impact on what happens, you have a say in what happens in the future,” Kamryn said as her peers gathered around tables to complete their forms and posed for celebratory photos in front of a red banner featuring a bald eagle.
Eighty members of the Wolfpack pre-registered to vote at this year’s registration drive, more than doubling last year’s numbers.
“We’re a really diverse school, and it can be hard for minority kids like us to be represented, so it’s important that we participate in voting,” said David, who is president of Shades.
PREPARED TO PARTICIPATE
When SPS students graduate, they take away more than diploma; they carry the knowledge and resources that have been provided alongside the agency to participate as citizens in their community.
“Public schools are among the few places left where children and adults of all backgrounds and political affiliations regularly learn, grow and achieve together,” the SPS School Board shared in a recent message to families and staff. “We remain steadfast in fostering civil discourse, promoting student voice, and prohibiting any type of discrimination or hate speech in our schools.
“These values are particularly important as we approach Election Day 2024 and celebrate the freedoms represented by our political process.”